MANIC MONDAY.....4th Of July Decor....

Semi un-related to 4th of July (BUT it is blue and white..) a pic of the sky last night during our walk....SO pretty

I typically decorate for EVERY holiday (altho this has gotten harder since I started working). My china hutch always has white dishes it's the pops and accents that change it up for the holidays....I added some red, white and blue for the 4th!

For a moment lets re-visit china cabinets past.....

"PROMOTION"

EASTER

CHRISTMAS

(you'll notice in each pic all the main players are the same....white plates, hobnail milk glass and then accented by decor or pops of color of the season)

Have YOU decorated for 4th of July?!?!? If so Leave you're link so I can check it out!!

A day in the life.....Pics Via my iphone from the week

As I load the day in the life pics the theme is mostly food....I've done a lot cooking...recipes to follow on FOODIE Friday

Since my lil guy was sick I made him homemade chicken noodle soup...He LOATHES onions SO I decided to try something new...well new to me, I put the onion, celery and parsley in cheesecloth SO I still got the flavor but not the stuff int he soup...

Made chocolate chip cookie brownies....brownies and milk go hand in hand

Creamy red sauce with fresh spinach....see the post here http://objectofmayaffection.blogspot.com/2014/06/foodie-fridaycreamy-red-sauce-with.html

My daughter plated these apples (awww, the "apple" doesn't fall from the tree) served with fresh whipped cream cheese frosting

One of my girls at work's mom sent me this picture and said "if you were my daughter I'd buy these for you..." um Willie you can adopt me....I could NEVER wear the heels BUT the boots SWOON!!!

First firefly catching of the season....

Can't end without a crazy pic!! While taking pics for WIWW sometimes you have to mix it up...I love my smile in this pic...it's genuine 

What have YOU been up to this week?!?!?

FOODIE FRIDAY.....Creamy Red Sauce with Spinach Pasta

Happy Friday loves! We all KNOW Pinterest is the mecca for all things...I used to just pin Beauty and style options and now I pin ER'thing Check out my boards here http://www.pinterest.com/janaec/ I recently pinned this recipe http://recipi.net/creamy-spinach-tomato-pasta/ for a creamy red sauce with spinach....It's kinda from "scratch" and made me feel all domestic and was SUPES delish!!

Gather your seasonings

Soften the onions and garlic in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes and seasoning 

(according to my Real Housewife Teresa  you aren't supposed to make sauce when it's that time of the month)

Whisk in 2 tbsp of cream cheese...

Add fresh spinach....

Gently fold the spinach in.....

VIOLA!!! Dinner's served! Buen provecho

I'm baack.......

When ya live outside the city limits it's hard to get good reliable internet service.....and when it storms forget about it!! Ever since my house was struck by lightening in April my internet service has been spotty at best (I've called, they've given stacked credits) I guess it's par for the course?!?!? So that explains my absence.....I've been cooking up a storm the past week...recipes to follow...

My lil guys been sick

And I've been getting back into the groove after staycation) SO I will hopefully be able to get back to the regularly scheduled programming here on the blog!

TRY IT THURSDAY...CHICAGO on a budget....LINCOLN PARK ZOO

I LOVE Chicago and the city...it can be expensive to be a tourist here (Navy Pier was a bit pricey BUT  next time we go I know what to do and not to do!!). 

LOOK at that city Skyline....

We stopped at #Sweet Mandy B's cupcakery....Cute lil vintage charm

Was featured on Chicago's Best (a tv show that highlights the yummy places to eat around the city)

I had the chocolate peanut butter cupcake

The kids had S'mores pie....

And my mom had an apricot bar....

 It was cute BUT would've been cuter IF the treats were served on fiesta ware in the pretty pastel ice cream colors (I came to realize on this trip that I really enjoy presentation and it makes a difference)

 We then headed out to Lincoln Park Zoo where the parking can be up to $35.00 for 5 hours or more....I don't know about you BUT I prefer to put that $35.00 toward a tasty treat or souvenir....SO my dad mentioned that there was parking along Stockton Drive at no charge (KEEP in mind that you may NOT find parking) BUT we did...we patiently waited for the lady to leave her spot and I quick parallel parked (I grew up in Chicago SO it was no biggie driving in traffic, parallel parking and walking a few blocks). SO we parked for free, got to explore the Lincoln Park Conservatory (free admission) GORGEOUS plants...

And walked a few feet over to Lincoln Park Zoo (free admission as well)

We monkey-ed around a bit...and by the end of the day we were ready to put our feet up and have a cold one!!

There are many ways to see the city at a discount (ALWAYS check groupon in your town or the town you are visiting to see what the specials are..for example - I checked my email yesterday and there was a groupon for the giant pirate sailboat for a discounted admission of $17.00 - we could've done that on Monday). Do YOU have any hotspots in CHICAGO that I should try next time I'm in town?!?!?

WIWW Wednesday

It's Wednesday and I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy http://thepleatedpoppy.com/category/what-i-wore/ For What I Wore Wednesday....A FAB place to go and get inspiration - so if you're looking to re-work your closet - stop by for ideas! 

SATURDAY - Date Night

 What I'm wearing:
Purse -Coach
Jean Jacket - Thrifted
Dress - (ACTUALLY a skirt - see below for how I wore before)  - FREE from Shop and Swap
Necklace - Chico's
Belt - Ross
Sandals - Macy's via Ebay

** I IMAGINED wearing this skirt as a dress the moment I was photog'ing my "Shop and Swap" post as seen below....

Here it is worn as a skirt (as originally intended) and I think it's SASSIER as a dress - I LOVE the dress look!!

MONDAY - Navy Pier - lunch at City Porch

 What I'm wearing:
Purse - Coach
Stripe Shirt - Chico's
Crops - Chico's
Sandals - Macy's via Ebay

TUESDAY - Lincoln Park Conservatory

 What I'm wearing:
Skully Tank - Disney World
Shorts - Fam Dolla
Sandals - Macy's via Ebay
Hat - Dolla Tree
(I did have my hat on at the Conservatory UNTIL it blew off)

Off to see what YOU wore!!

MANIC MONDAY....Navy Pier Chicago

Howdy and welcome to Stay-cation Day 1!! We went to Navy Pier today...

 It's not easy holding up the skyline!! (this photo idea was courtesy of my daughter)

Do YOU remember these?!?!? We used to do mad libs all the time in grade school

The kids LOVE the candy store at the pier....ok, I kinda love it too!! I was surprised to see Beer flavored jelly beans (I LOVED the color!! They're beautiful and golden and in case you wondered, they really taste like beer!!)

How about these?!?! Anyone remember these?!??!

Had lunch at #CityPorch....SO DELISH and the decor - SWOON!!! Vintage-y, sea-like and fab rustic materials.....

Chipotle Chicken chopped salad

My Hickory Burger with Canadian Bacon...best fries ever - hands down!!

While we dined al fresco THIS was the decor inside...Isn't it GORGEOUS!?!?!?